LANSING, MI and SACRAMENTO, CA - Michigan lawmakers on May 12 voted in favor of four bills designed to criminalize youth access to violent video games: Senate bills 249 and 416, and House bills 4593 and 4702. Highlighting the issue, Gov. Jennifer Granholm reported on May 3 that an undercover state investigation has revealed that underage children are able to buy home video games that are supposed to be restricted to adults. She is backing two bills, which, if passed, would ban rental as well as sale of violent games to young players, and might thereby be applied to coin-operated games. A year in jail and a $5,000 fine are proposed for violators. Republicans, who control the state Senate, have pointed out that similar legislation has crumbled in the courts after being challenged by the game industry on First Amendment constitutional grounds. However, according to the Detroit Free Press, "Many lawmakers believe Michigan's legislation would hold up in court"' On May 12, California lawmakers approved Assembly bill 450 by a 6-4 vote. The bill, authored by Assemblyman Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), would ban the sale of violent video games to minors. Next, the bill will be sent to the full Assembly and, if approved, to the state Senate for another look.

TLC'S 'POWERBALL BILLIARDS,' VIEW'S 'JUKEBOOST' PRODUCTION UPDATES

SCHAUMBURG, IL and SAN LEANDRO, CA , TLC Industries has put "PowerBall Billiards," an upright video simulator, into full production. The company is positioning the realistic unit as a "video pool table" and reports earning more than $200 per week in several locations nationwide. TLC is aggressively promoting the game through live, onsite promotions and organized tournaments, beginning in Chicago and expanding nationwide this summer. A location promotion kit will be available to operators and location owners. Contact TLC to learn more at tel. (800) 852-4623 or e-mail sales@tlcind.com' View Interactive Entertainment says its "JukeBoost" CD-to-broadband jukebox conversion kit successfully completed its beta test phase, and will enter full production mid-month. A staggered production schedule from June 13 to July 27 will launch editions designed to convert different models of older Rowe jukeboxes. Operators may access the list of View distributors online at http://www.viewmfg.com/howtobuy.

SEGA-SAMMY CUTS FY05 NET PROFIT FORECAST

TOKYO , Sammy Holdings is expected to report net profits of 50 billion yen for its fiscal year ended March 2005, down 7% from the prior forecast of 53.5 billion yen. The reduction reflects a special loss of 10.6 billion yen related to the redemption of bonds held by Sega Corp., according to Forbes. On the plus side, Sega Sammy expects current profits to be larger than previously thought, up 10 billion yen to 104 billion for the fiscal 2006 year. Surprisingly, officials said, brisk sales of pachinko slot machines are making the difference.

BENCHMARK LAUNCHES REDESIGNED WEBSITE

HYPOLUXO, FL , Benchmark Games has launched a newly redesigned Web page at http://www.benchmarkgames.com/ featuring more product information on existing games and new machines including "Slam A Winner," "Ticket Station" and "Ticket to Prizes." For further information call Al Kress at (561) 588-5200 ext. 101.

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